Derby Festé

Derby Festé 2019 returns with a programme of events that will leave you breathless…

With the theme of moon, space and tides there is something for everyone - family, friends and colleagues, gather round and enjoy.

Watch and wonder, look on and laugh, sit and smile, mingle and make memories… whatever you do, come along and enjoy this fantastic event that will leave you feeling delighted that you didn’t miss out!

‘Museum of the Moon’ by UK artist Luke Jerram and will be installed in the majestic Derby Cathedral for visitors to enjoy in the run up to and throughout Derby Festé. The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by award-winning composer Dan Jones.

The first performance at Derby Festé on Friday afternoon will be a high-energy aerial performance of ‘Splash’ by integrated circus company Extraordinary Bodies on Cathedral Green at

Visitors will then watch as around 200 young people from local Special Educational Needs (SEND) schools come together to create a choreographed ‘Human Link’ between the Cathedral and the banks of the River Derwent and highlighting the diversity of the city.

Saturday daytime will see the return of a wide range of free street entertainment which is always popular with visitors as the city centre streets take on a vibrancy akin to Covent Garden.

Tickets are now on sale for two special performances at this year’s Derby Festé on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September 2019.

Dutch company, Close-Act Theatre, will make a welcome return to Festé on both evenings.

‘Malaya’ is a magnificent interactive street theatre production that will transform Bass’ Recreation Ground into a futuristic journey in time on Saturday evening.

‘Malaya’ originates from the language of the Inca’s which means 'destination'. Silver creatures guide the audience into a mythical dream world of grotesque images, fire, light and sounds. Huge birds fly around and where stilt- walkers chase each other with fire surrounded by giant metal carts with an imposing helium balloon looming overhead.

To whet the appetite for the production, Close-Act will give visitors a sneak preview of the magnificent giant characters on Friday evening as they parade through the St Peters Quarter and Cathedral Quarter free of charge – finishing in the Market Place at 9pm.

Meanwhile award-winning Catalan circus company Los Galindos will perform ‘UduL’ in a small yurt erected on Cathedral Green with four one-hour shows – afternoon and early evening - across both days.

The four-strong cast portray a range of emotional and physical confrontations through circus-style acrobatics, trapeze and contemporary dance with the 90-strong audience seated around the centre stage.

The theme of Derby Festé this year is ‘Space, Moon & Tides’ and all the other performances are free of charge.